[ad_1]
KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s Christians today celebrated Christmas on a moderate scale and in a spirit of goodwill, in accordance with the new normal to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The faithful gathered in several churches that were opened with limited capacity, except in areas that have been placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).
No large-scale open houses were held as visits were only allowed with a limited number of guests, which included only close family members.
In Selangor, Christians began arriving at Our Lady of Lourd church in Klang at 8 a.m. for a religious service and it took about 15 minutes before returning home.
Pastor Frederick Joseph, when meeting with Bernama, said that this year’s Christmas celebration at the church was different from previous years, as all activities must be carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) established by the relevant authorities.
“Last year, around 1,500 faithful and their families gathered in the church for prayer ceremonies, but this year we have to follow the SOP considering that the Klang district is still classified as a red zone area (Covid-19) “, said.
In Perak, devotees attending the service at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipoh were seen wearing face masks and generally followed the other established SOPs.
Only about 100 Christians were able to enter the hall to participate in the religious ceremony that began at 7 am and lasted one hour.
At Negeri Sembilan, it was a moderate but lively Christmas celebration for about 400 Orang Asli at Kampung Orang Asli Tekir Mentera, Labu.
Chief Ramli Taka, 67, said the celebration of the Orang Asli community in the village was held among members of the immediate family in their respective homes.
“Unlike previous years, this year we celebrate Christmas at home in compliance with the standard operating procedures established by the government after the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
In Melaka, Christmas was quietly celebrated in the country’s only traditional Portuguese village of Ujong Pasir, as there were no regular cultural performances this year.
Village Security and Development Committee (JPKK) chair Marina Lindadanker said no house-to-house carol sessions were held on Christmas Eve in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Usually a week before Christmas there will be various activities and performances that have also become a special tourist attraction here,” he said.
In Sarawak, the St. Thomas Cathedral in Kuching, which can accommodate up to 1,500 people at a time, today limits the number of attendees to just 200 people.
The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) had ruled that Christians in the state were only allowed to hold Christmas celebrations on the first day, while visits were limited to just 20 people at a time.
In Sabah, prayer ceremonies were held in churches with a limited attendance of parishioners in full compliance with standard operating procedures, including wearing face masks and registration using the MySejahtera app.
Interestingly, some Christians in the state used technology as a new way to celebrate Christmas, even celebrating virtual Christmas carols. – Called
[ad_2]
